Opposing view: Fix air traffic services

Record airline load factors and the growing number of flights are testimony to the strength of consumer demand for competitively priced air transportation. Airlines are in the business of responding to these market signals to meet the public's expectations for services. In short, just as anticipated, airline deregulation has produced a variety of airline services and vigorous price competition.


Unfortunately, there are some who would prefer to respond to the challenges of this marketplace success by scaling back consumer benefits.


They would impose fees and regulatory constraints that simply mask the government's failure to provide the essential air traffic control (ATC) services we all pay for. Adding $50 to a passenger ticket through congestion pricing or reducing service to small communities that rely on regional jet service, they say, is the only solution to market demands

.

Read More

How To Save On Airline Tickets

If you are looking to get the best price on airline tickets, it takes more than going to an online comparison site. One area that can help bring down the price you pay is the flexibility you have when making the reservations. Here are some things to consider when trying to get the best deal on an airline ticket.

Departure times: Choosing an early morning or late at night "red eye" can decrease the cost of your ticket.

Departure Days: Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays are usually the cheapest days to fly and many comparison sites will let you factor in a few day window into the search. Just be sure to remember a better deal on the flight isn't saving you money if you have to pay for an extra night hotel room and an extra day of car rental.

Booking windows: Airlines use 21 days, 14 days and 7 days in advance booking windows with prices increasing the closure to the departure date.

.

Read More

Some online travel agencies drop ticket-booking fees

In an era when air travelers are getting nickeled-and-dimed for everything from an in-flight sandwich to curbside bag check, here's some relief: Several online travel agencies have waived air-ticket booking fees.

Hotwire, Priceline and Cheapotravel (a sister site to Travelocity) have dropped most of their fees, $5 to $10 per ticket, at least through the summer.

For now, however, Expedia, Orbitz and Travelocity are continuing their fees, about $5 to $12 for ticket purchases and such features as flight-delay notification and rebooking assistance.

Regardless of those perks, consumers increasingly are using online agencies to research fares, then are booking on airline sites which don't impose fees.

Hotels

Many guests aren't green

Most people check environmentally responsible behavior at the door when they check into a hotel, according to a survey released by Starwood Hotels & Resorts.

.

Read More

Opposing view: Fix air traffic services

Record airline load factors and the growing number of flights are testimony to the strength of consumer demand for competitively priced air transportation. Airlines are in the business of responding to these market signals to meet the public's expectations for services. In short, just as anticipated, airline deregulation has produced a variety of airline services and vigorous price competition.


Unfortunately, there are some who would prefer to respond to the challenges of this marketplace success by scaling back consumer benefits.


They would impose fees and regulatory constraints that simply mask the government's failure to provide the essential air traffic control (ATC) services we all pay for. Adding $50 to a passenger ticket through congestion pricing or reducing service to small communities that rely on regional jet service, they say, is the only solution to market demands

.

Read More

How To Save On Airline Tickets

If you are looking to get the best price on airline tickets, it takes more than going to an online comparison site. One area that can help bring down the price you pay is the flexibility you have when making the reservations. Here are some things to consider when trying to get the best deal on an airline ticket.

Departure times: Choosing an early morning or late at night "red eye" can decrease the cost of your ticket.

Departure Days: Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays are usually the cheapest days to fly and many comparison sites will let you factor in a few day window into the search. Just be sure to remember a better deal on the flight isn't saving you money if you have to pay for an extra night hotel room and an extra day of car rental.

Booking windows: Airlines use 21 days, 14 days and 7 days in advance booking windows with prices increasing the closure to the departure date.

.

Read More

Some online travel agencies drop ticket-booking fees

In an era when air travelers are getting nickeled-and-dimed for everything from an in-flight sandwich to curbside bag check, here's some relief: Several online travel agencies have waived air-ticket booking fees.

Hotwire, Priceline and Cheapotravel (a sister site to Travelocity) have dropped most of their fees, $5 to $10 per ticket, at least through the summer.

For now, however, Expedia, Orbitz and Travelocity are continuing their fees, about $5 to $12 for ticket purchases and such features as flight-delay notification and rebooking assistance.

Regardless of those perks, consumers increasingly are using online agencies to research fares, then are booking on airline sites which don't impose fees.

Hotels

Many guests aren't green

Most people check environmentally responsible behavior at the door when they check into a hotel, according to a survey released by Starwood Hotels & Resorts.

.

Read More

Opposing view: Fix air traffic services

Record airline load factors and the growing number of flights are testimony to the strength of consumer demand for competitively priced air transportation. Airlines are in the business of responding to these market signals to meet the public's expectations for services. In short, just as anticipated, airline deregulation has produced a variety of airline services and vigorous price competition.


Unfortunately, there are some who would prefer to respond to the challenges of this marketplace success by scaling back consumer benefits.


They would impose fees and regulatory constraints that simply mask the government's failure to provide the essential air traffic control (ATC) services we all pay for. Adding $50 to a passenger ticket through congestion pricing or reducing service to small communities that rely on regional jet service, they say, is the only solution to market demands.

Read More

How To Save On Airline Tickets

If you are looking to get the best price on airline tickets, it takes more than going to an online comparison site. One area that can help bring down the price you pay is the flexibility you have when making the reservations. Here are some things to consider when trying to get the best deal on an airline ticket.

Departure times: Choosing an early morning or late at night "red eye" can decrease the cost of your ticket.

Departure Days: Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays are usually the cheapest days to fly and many comparison sites will let you factor in a few day window into the search. Just be sure to remember a better deal on the flight isn't saving you money if you have to pay for an extra night hotel room and an extra day of car rental.

Booking windows: Airlines use 21 days, 14 days and 7 days in advance booking windows with prices increasing the closure to the departure date.

Read More

Some online travel agencies drop ticket-booking fees

In an era when air travelers are getting nickeled-and-dimed for everything from an in-flight sandwich to curbside bag check, here's some relief: Several online travel agencies have waived air-ticket booking fees.

Hotwire, Priceline and Cheapotravel (a sister site to Travelocity) have dropped most of their fees, $5 to $10 per ticket, at least through the summer.

For now, however, Expedia, Orbitz and Travelocity are continuing their fees, about $5 to $12 for ticket purchases and such features as flight-delay notification and rebooking assistance.

Regardless of those perks, consumers increasingly are using online agencies to research fares, then are booking on airline sites which don't impose fees.

Hotels

Many guests aren't green

Most people check environmentally responsible behavior at the door when they check into a hotel, according to a survey released by Starwood Hotels & Resorts.

Read More

Opposing view: Fix air traffic services

Record airline load factors and the growing number of flights are testimony to the strength of consumer demand for competitively priced air transportation. Airlines are in the business of responding to these market signals to meet the public's expectations for services. In short, just as anticipated, airline deregulation has produced a variety of airline services and vigorous price competition.

Unfortunately, there are some who would prefer to respond to the challenges of this marketplace success by scaling back consumer benefits.

They would impose fees and regulatory constraints that simply mask the government's failure to provide the essential air traffic control (ATC) services we all pay for. Adding $50 to a passenger ticket through congestion pricing or reducing service to small communities that rely on regional jet service, they say, is the only solution to market demands.

Read More

Lower ticket costs plea by embassies

SOME embassies in Bahrain are calling for airlines to reduce the cost of tickets for expatriate workers taking advantage of the government's general amnesty.

Senior diplomats say special consideration should be given to those who are desperate to return home but do not have the funds to pay for the fares.

They say the budgets of embassies are limited and if large numbers of people choose to leave the country, it would be impossible for them to foot the bill.

The amnesty, which began last Wednesday, will run until December 31.

It aims to help thousands of people who came into the country on visit visas and stayed after their documents expired or whose sponsors failed to renew their papers.

It will allow illegal immigrants to legalise their stay or leave the country without penalty.

Read More

Vacation like a pirate

A Web site called Yapta provides price tracking of airline tickets. It works by letting travelers tag the flights they want and receive e-mail alerts when prices drop. In some cases, you may be able to get a refund or voucher from your airline. To register, go to www.yapta.com.

Compiled from staff and wire reports.

.

Read More

Airline Prices Drop? Save After You've Paid More

(CBS) NEW YORK Next time you fly, you'll probably head to the web to find some of the cheapest ticket prices. But did you know you could actually save money even after you've made your choice?Rachel Marenburg loves the hunt for a cheap flight. "It's kind of fun; it kind of becomes a game after awhile just trying to find the best price," she tells CBS 2.The fun fades, however, when that great fare gets beaten out by an even better price after you've already bought your ticket. Fortunately, there is something you can do about it. "What a lot of passengers don't know is they may be eligible for a partial refund," says Travel Expert Rudy Maxa.If you find your airline cuts fares after you've bought, Maxa says major carriers reimburse passengers at least part of the difference -- even if you bought from a third party site like Expedia or Travelocity.

Read More